"Your sister's waiting for you." Melisanda nodded toward the old stone stair that led down to the college's boat landing. "You don't want to miss the tide." She reached up and caught his face in her hands, pulling him close for a long kiss. Aeron felt her warm tears dampen his face. "Goodbye, Aeron."

"Goodbye," he said huskily. "When you've got things in order here, come to the Maerchwood. I want you to see it with me." With one last kiss, he broke away and shouldered his pack, trotting across the open field to where Eriale and Baillegh waited.

"Are you ready?" Eriale asked.

Aeron took a deep breath. "Let's go home."

About the Author

A former naval officer, Rich has been designing games for TSR, Inc., since 1991. His game design credits include the ALTERNITY(tm) science fiction role-playing game and the BIRTHRIGHT(r) Campaign Setting. Rich is a hopeless baseball fan, devoted to the Philadelphia Phillies-a fairly hopeless baseball team. He currently resides in the Seattle area with his wife, Kim; his daughter, Alex; and another daughter (?) who's scheduled to make an appearance in July.